February criminal case figures show lockdown effect

Solemn cases getting up to speed, but summary business being seriously hit by the continuing lockdown, is the picture from the Scottish Courts & Tribunals Service criminal statistics workbook covering the month of February.

The sixth monthly workbook showing the throughput of criminal cases reveals that during February 2021: 

• the overall level of new cases registered was 62% of the average monthly pre-COVID level;
• petitions, which provide a useful indicator of future solemn business, were 10% higher than the average monthly pre-COVID level;
• 42 High Court evidence led trials commenced, the same as the average monthly pre-COVID level;
• 72 High Court cases were concluded, 7% higher than the average pre-COVID level;
• the rollout of remote jury centres to restart sheriff court jury trials across Scotland, which completed on 22 February, resulted in 56 evidence led trials commencing, 59% of the average pre-COVID level;
• 354 sheriff solemn cases were concluded, which is 82% of the average pre-COVID level;
• evidence led summary trials in the sheriff courts were 15% of the average monthly pre-COVID levels, reflecting the continued lockdown and court restrictions in place. 

David Fraser, SCTS executive director of Court Operations, commented: "With the lockdown restrictions in place, the criminal courts have focused on the most serious trials, with the majority of summary trials in the sheriff court and justice of the peace court being adjourned. The High Court continues to operate at pre-COVID levels, and with the rollout of remote jury centres now complete we can see sheriff courts making strong progress."

The workbook is available at http://www.scotcourts.gov.uk/official-statistics